Wyoming Medicaid for Senior Care
Complete guide to Medicaid eligibility, coverage, and application process for nursing homes, assisted living, and home care in Wyoming.
7.6 million Medicaid long-term care recipients nationwide
Wyoming Department of Health - Healthcare Financing Division
Processing Time
30-45 days for standard Medicaid; waiver programs (when applicable) take 60-90 days
Wyoming Medicaid Eligibility Requirements (2026)
To qualify for Medicaid long-term care in Wyoming, applicants must meet both financial eligibility criteria (income and assets) and medical criteria (level of care needs). Wyoming follows federal Medicaid guidelines with some state-specific variations.
Income Limits
Individual Applicant
$2,982/month
Married Couple (One Applying)
$5,964/month
Income includes Social Security, pensions, annuities, interest, dividends, and rental income.
Asset Limits
Individual Applicant
$2,000
Community Spouse (At-Home Spouse)
$3,000
Primary residence, one vehicle, personal belongings, and prepaid burial arrangements are exempt from asset limits.
5-Year Look-Back Period
Wyoming Medicaid reviews all financial transactions for the 60 months prior to application. Asset transfers or gifts during this period can result in a penalty period of Medicaid ineligibility. The penalty is calculated by dividing the transferred amount by $8,600/month average (semi-private), $9,444/month (private) (the average monthly nursing home cost in Wyoming).
Medical Eligibility
Applicants must demonstrate need for nursing facility level of care through a state assessment. This typically requires assistance with 2-3 Activities of Daily Living (bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, eating) or cognitive impairment requiring supervision.
Assessments are performed by state-designated evaluators (nurses or social workers) and typically take 45-90 minutes. The assessment can occur at home, in a hospital, or at the care facility.
What Medicaid Covers in Wyoming
Nursing Home Care
Medicaid pays 100% of nursing home costs in Wyoming once eligibility is established. The average monthly cost is $8,600/month average (semi-private), $9,444/month (private). Recipients contribute most of their monthly income toward care costs, keeping only $50-75 for personal needs.
Coverage includes room, board, 24-hour nursing care, meals, medications, therapy services, and all medical care provided at the facility.
Assisted Living Coverage
No Dedicated Elderly/Assisted Living Waiver: Wyoming does not have a dedicated Medicaid waiver for elderly individuals or assisted living coverage. The state's waivers primarily serve individuals with developmental disabilities or acquired brain injuries. Elderly individuals may qualify for the ABI waiver if they have stroke or brain injury. Most elderly individuals needing long-term care must either remain at home with limited services or pay privately for assisted living until assets are depleted for nursing home Medicaid coverage.
Note: This program covers personal care services but does not cover room and board costs. Residents need approximately $1,500-$2,500/month from Social Security or other income to cover housing expenses.
Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waivers
Wyoming offers 2 HCBS waiver programs that provide in-home care and community services as an alternative to nursing facility placement.
Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Waiver
Serves individuals with acquired brain injury including traumatic brain injury, stroke, anoxic brain injury. Some elderly individuals qualify following stroke or other neurological events. Provides case management, personal care, respite, day habilitation, supported employment, residential habilitation.
Program Details →Supports Waiver
Serves adults with developmental disabilities who meet intermediate care facility level of care. Some elderly individuals with lifelong disabilities qualify.
Program Details →How to Apply for Medicaid in Wyoming
Wyoming Medicaid applications typically take 30-45 days for standard Medicaid; waiver programs (when applicable) take 60-90 days. Starting the process early and submitting complete documentation helps avoid delays.
Application Methods
You can apply for Medicaid in Wyoming through:
- Online at health.wyo.gov/healthcarefin/equalcare/how-to-apply/
- Phone: 1-855-294-2127 (WY Healthcare Financing)
- Download application and mail to: WY Dept of Health, 6101 Yellowstone Road, Suite 210, Cheyenne, WY 82002
- In-person at Department of Family Services office (23 county offices)
Step 1: Gather Required Documents
Before starting your application, collect:
- •Birth certificate and Social Security card
- •Proof of citizenship (passport, naturalization)
- •5 years of bank statements
- •Investment and retirement account statements
- •Property deeds and mortgage statements
- •Life insurance policies
- •Social Security award letter
- •Pension benefit statements
- •Medicare card
- •Doctor's statement of care needs
Step 2: Submit Your Application
Complete and submit your application through one of the methods listed above. If applying online or by mail, keep copies of all submitted documents.
Step 3: Medical Assessment
A state assessor will evaluate level of care needs. This assessment typically takes 45-90 minutes and covers functional abilities, medical needs, cognitive status, and safety concerns.
Step 4: Financial Review
Medicaid staff review all financial documents and investigate any transfers or gifts made in the past 60 months. They may request additional documentation during this process.
Step 5: Receive Determination
You'll receive written notification of approval or denial. Approved applications include the effective date of coverage (often retroactive up to 3 months), patient responsibility amount, and covered services.
Get Free Application Help
Free Medicaid application assistance is available in Wyoming from:
- •Area Agency on Aging: Call 1-800-677-1116 (Eldercare Locator) to find your local office
- •SHIP counselors: Free Medicare/Medicaid counseling
- •Nursing facility social workers: In-facility application support
- •Elder law attorneys: Paid help for complex financial situations ($2,000-$5,000)
Wyoming-Specific Programs and Resources
Medicare Savings Programs (QMB/SLMB/QI)
QMB pays Medicare premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance. SLMB pays Part B premiums. QI pays Part B premiums (limited funding).
Learn MoreEqualityCare (Wyoming Medicaid)
Wyoming's Medicaid program name. Covers basic medical services for eligible individuals.
Learn MoreAging Division Programs
State aging agency providing senior centers, nutrition programs, and caregiver support.
Learn MoreNeed Help with Wyoming Medicaid?
Contact Wyoming Department of Health - Healthcare Financing Division for specific questions about eligibility, application status, or covered services.
Main Office Phone
1-800-251-1269Application Helpline
1-855-294-2127